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Flowers 


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Copyright, 1919, by 
American Sunday-School Union 



0C1 17 1919 


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To 

LAMAR AND MILTON 

Flowers of God, Morning Glories of My 
Life, Children of the Modest Sweet 
Violet of My Home, This Little 
Story is Loyingly and Affec- 
tionately Dedicated. 




PREFACE 



The world is full of flowers. They smile 
about us everywhere. The hand of the 
Supreme Artist pencils their features and 
tints their cheeks, and gives them a mission 
in the world of men. The yards of poverty 
are made rich by their fragrant presence; 
the hedgerows of the highway are made 
more beautiful to look upon; and, inspired 
by their inarticulate song, poets have moved 
the hearts of men and brought the world 
closer to the throbbing heart of the Infinite. 

The world is full of children. Their 
prattling lips and pattering feet are about 
us everywhere. The voice of the Good 
Father speaks through their unmarred souls 
and sways the world. From out the homes 
of poverty they come to bless and enrich 


6 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


the world; the hedgerows of human experi- 
ence are laden and lightened by their pres- 
ence; and by them, too, have poets and 
prophets been inspired to move the hearts 
of men and bring them closer to the heart 
of God. The Great Teacher pointed to 
them as samples of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

To bring these two emblems of purity 
and innocence together and to give the 
child an interest in and a love for flowers 
is the purpose of this simple little story. 
Read it to them sympathetically, and as 
you read grow, yourself, down to the world 
of children and flowers, and upward toward 
the Kingdom. 

P. D. T. R. 

Crystal Parsonage 
September , 1919 


The 

Banquet of the Flowers 


yOU know, children, there 
are just lots and lots of 
lovely flowers in this wonder- 
ful world God has created, 
and, no doubt, you have played 
beside them many times, and 
watched them as they nodded 
away in the evening breezes, 
or opened their little faces in 


10 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


mired. Now roses grow from 
cuttings, you know, which are 
put in the ground and culti- 
vated. So from one rosebush 
ever so many people take a 
cutting and soon have a fine 
rosebush all full of roses for 
themselves. Some roses bloom 
early in the spring, some later, 
some even in the early fall, and 
still others bloom every month. 
All the members of the fam- 
ily are just as sweet as can be. 
There is Miss Killarney, with 
all her Irish beauty; there is 
Miss Geranium, whose flower 
has very little odor, but whose 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 11 


leaves are ever so sweet when 
rubbed between the fingers. 
She really does not belong to 
the Rose family, but because 
her leaves smell so like the 
rose she is called Rose Gera- 
nium; a sort of adopted child, 
you see. Next comes cute lit- 
tle Wild, in her shyness, who, 
though maybe she is the old- 
est one of all, still remains as 
sweet and pretty as ever; then 
Miss Prim with her modesty 
and sweet blushes must come 
next; and there is Mary, the 
little sweetheart of the boy 
rose whom somebody just nick- 


12 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


named “Red,” and who has 
been called that ever since. 
Even when grown he is a bit 
smaller than his brave cousin, 
Giant of Battle. 

There are others; as, Mon- 
sieur Marechal Neil, Mme. 
La France, and Pink Rover, 
the little outlaw. But there is 
one especially whom everybody 
loves, and who has been petted 
more than the rest. She is 
really the favorite of many, and 
has been to school to some 
teachers called Horticulturists. 
She has grown so popular that 
everybody knows her as Ameri- 



BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 13 


can Beauty. She is queen of 
all the Roses. Now for the 
story: 

The flowers all had a spring- 
time banquet, once upon a 
time, in honor of this queen 
when she was graduated from 
school. Wasn’t that fine? 
They all were glad to honor 
her, because there is no jeal- 
ousy in Flower Land. All the 
flowers are sweet and they are 
quite content with their own 
individual sweetness. No envy 
at another’s beauty or success 
eats at the heart of the flower. 
The tiny Wild Violet who can 



14 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


just lift her little head above 
the forest moss is just as sweet 
in her way as the American 
Beauty. As there was no such 
thing as jealousy at this party, 
don’t you know they had a 
glorious time? Giant of Battle 
was very much in love with 
American Beauty. In fact, he 
it was who first suggested to 
Lily of the Valley that this 
banquet be given in honor of 
the proud queen. 

Everything was arranged, 
and at the suggestion of Be- 
gonia Pansy was selected to 
invite the guests. She wrote 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 15 


the invitations with a pen she 
got from Jonquil. There was 
something a bit funny about 
this. Pansy was wondering 
where she would get some ink, 
and had just about given up 
all hope of finding any when 
a big gust of wind came by 
and shook a large oak tree 
that stood near by, and down 
fell a big, fat Ink Ball— they 
grow on Oak trees, you know — 
and rolled right up to her, as 
much as to say, “Here I am, 
use me.” Joyously Pansy 
dipped in her quill and wrote 
the invitations on broad flat 


16 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 



leaves given by Pond Lily. 
The invitations were all carried 
to the invited ones by Mr. Jack 
Bean, who is considered a 
very fast runner. He climbs 
around on people’s porches 
and keeps away the sun, and 
is very useful. 

All the flowers in Flower 
Land were invited, and each 
one promised to be there, ex- 
cept Baby’s Breath, who was 
not quite strong enough to go, 
although Balloon Vine offered 
to carry her ever so softly 
through the air. Kochia, 
Hollyhock, and Honeysuckle 


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BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 17 


formed the committee on ar- 
rangements, and when the day 
came round for the banquet 
they had everything in tiptop 
shape. It had been a beauti- 
ful day, and now the sun had 
set, leaving lovely streaks of 
crimson and gold in the even- 
ing sky. A wind came by to 
carry away the heat. The lit- 
tle brook at the foot of the 
hill danced over the pebbles 
and made sweet music. The 
big trees above bowed cour- 
teously and offered protection 
to the tiny merrymakers. 

In this little secluded spot 


18 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


in the wood the banquet table 
was spread, decorated in gay 
colors, and lighted by the Stars 
of Bethlehem nestling close at 
the feet of the Moonvine. 
Stars of Bethlehem are little, 
not big and glowing like the 
great star of Bethlehem that 
led the wondering shepherds 
to the place where Jesus was 
born, but they are modest and 
white and pure — like Jesus 
would have us be. They grow 
close to the ground, while the 
Moonvine runs high up on the 
trellis and opens out as big, 
almost, as Daddy’s hand. 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 19 


Now the great lawn had to 
be lighted, so the Sunburst 
Rose was chosen for that. 
This made it light enough 
that any intruders in the form 
of ugly weeds, trying to pass 
themselves off for flowers, 
might be clearly seen by Gladi- 
olus, who, with Roman cour- 
age, armed with a Larkspur, 
stood guard to prevent their 
entrance. Just inside the wood- 
land hall stood a Thorn Tree, 
which served as a hatrack, 
while Mushrooms acted as 
seats. Jacob’s Ladder stood 
just outside to help the smaller 


20 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 



guests over any twigs and 
fallen branches that might be 
in the way. 

At the appointed time the 
guests began to arrive. The 
Four-o’Clocks came first, and 
told Boston Fern, who was 
butler, that Morning Glory 
would be a little late because 
she was coming with Virginia 
Creeper, and everybody knew 
how poky he was! Elder 
Blossoms, the preacher, came 
next. He was accompanied 
by Sage; for there must needs 
be some wise person who 
would be able to settle ques- 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 21 


tions of importance that might 
arise. Dandelion strutted up 
next, but Gladiolus would not 
permit him to enter until he 
promised not to behave like a 
lion. Daffodil brought Sweet 
Marjoram; Aster was the es- 
cort, and quite a gallant one, 
of Myrtle. Poppy was with 
Narcissus; and Sweet William 
in quite courtly fashion accom- 
panied Jasmine. 

And so they kept coming. 
Hydrangea remarked to Lo- 
belia that she was afraid one 
of the guests would not come 
until late if, indeed, he came 


22 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


at all, because he usually 
wandered around nowhere in 
particular. Of course she 
meant Crimson Rambler. Now 
Crimson Rambler is a kind of 
Rose, quite small, and without 
much perfume. They are very 
pretty, though, as they grow 
over doorways and arbors. 
While Hydrangea and Lobelia 
talked, it suddenly grew cool 
and every one turned to see 
Snowball entering. It grew 
pleasant again, however, when 
Sunflower came in. 

Clematis and Anemone, Lav- 
ender and Nasturtium, Ver- 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 23 


bena and Sweet Pea all came 
sailing down the little brook 
in a canoe, a beautiful little 
birch bark canoe, that Sweet 
Fern had caught as it floated 
down the stream one day after 
a big rain. Watershield piloted 
the little craft, and Cardinal 
Climber came along to help 
them all up the steep bank of 
the brook. 

There was a loud roar out- 
side just then that caused 
Gladiolus to prick up his ears 
and tighten his grip upon the 
Larkspur. He found his fears 
quite groundless, however, for 


24 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 



it was only Tiger Lily laugh- 
ing at some witticism of 
Azalea, who accompanied him. 
They were followed by Dahlia 
and Peony. They were hardly 
seated when a more terrific 
roar than the other attracted 
their attention. Running in 
the direction of the sound and 
peeping through a clump of 
bushes, Gladiolus found that 
Lilac had quite unintentionally 
stepped on Elephant Ear. 
Mignonette, who was with 
them, laughed heartily. 

All were ready now, waiting 
for American Beauty, except 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 25 


Crimson Rambler. Fearing he 
might be lost or hurt, Trailing 
Arbutus, the private detective 
of Flower Land, was sent in 
search of him. He soon found 
him suffering from a wound 
inflicted by a cruel Briar. 
Some Balsam was applied for 
immediate relief, and when he 
was brought in Balm of Gilead 
fixed him up as good as new. 
Everything now being ready, 
Boston Fern placed them all 
around the table, in the mid- 
dle of which there waved a 
Sweet Flag, upheld by Col- 
umbine and Cosmos, who 


26 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


gladly offered their services; 
for flowers are very patriotic. 
Some pine away and die, even, 
if they are carried to live away 
from their native land. 

Chrysanthemum whispered 
to Heliotrope that the queen 
was approaching; and, sure 
enough, she was soon seen 
entering the banquet hall lean- 
ing on the strong arm of Giant 
of Battle, who always carried 
himself with soldierly bearing, 
yet quietly and with light 
tread. He wore a particularly 
soft sandal furnished him for 
this special occasion by Moc- 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 27 


casin Flower. For a staff he 
carried a Golden Rod, and 
wore tiny Pinks in the lapel 
of his fine dress coat. Ameri- 
can Beauty wore a beautiful 
little hat with a Prince Feather 
in it, a Cockscomb in her 
hair, dainty little Lady’s- 
Slippers and Foxgloves, and 
carried a lovely bouquet of 
Forget - Me - Nots. Iris and 
Marigold held up her train 
and Zinnia came behind bear- 
ing the Bridal Wreath. Rose 
of Sharon ran forth to meet 
the queen, while London 
Pride threw back his shoulders 


28 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 



and looked dignified, which 
made Smilax smile. 

All now took their seats at 
the table and Elder Blossom 
said grace. Cowslip and Cy- 
clamen brought out a banner 
announcing a song by Calli- 
opsis. She sang by the merry 
musical accompaniment of the 
little brook and the tinkling 
of Canterbury Bells, the beau- 
titul song, “Love-Lies-Bleed- 
ing,” named after the flower 
of that name. Phlox, Gera- 
nium and Primrose were the 
waitresses, and brought in the 
first course. Jonquil now pro- 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 29 


posed a toast, whereupon 
Dutch Hyacinth, in his usual 
droll manner, said, “Der toast 
vill be pro’t in py der vaiters!” 

This made all the flowers 
laugh. Periwinkle laughed so 
much that off came a Bach- 
elor’s Button, and he had to 
hide behind Nightshade. 
Dusty Miller shook so much 
with laughter that the table 
would have been covered with 
dust had not Palm fanned it 
away. Passion Flower, who 
loved Dutch Hyacinth, blushed 
that he should thus display 
his ignorance. Johnny-Jump- 


30 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


Up noticed this and said to 
Sweet Pea that he heard 
Dutch Hyacinth say that he 
would like to kiss Passion 
Flower’s Tulips, but was afraid 
of Snapdragon, her guardian. 
Bleeding Heart knew the 
trouble love had caused her, 
and both she and Canna Lily 
looked reprovingly at Johnny- 
Jump-Up. Marigold tried to 
change the conversation by 
asking Carnation, “What’s 
Liverwort(h)?” Carnation told 
her that was one of the secrets 
Daisy would not tell. Wall- 
flower took no part in all this, 


BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 31 


which he sedately called fool- 
ishness. Bluebell rang for 
order and the guests were 
all served. 

There were lots of nice 
things to eat. Milkweed fur- 
nished the milk for Asparagus 
soup, which was served in 
dainty Buttercups. Sweet Alys- 
sum salad was served on fancy- 
cut Caladium leaves with All- 
spice and Candytuft. While 
they were all partaking of 
this good stuff Gladiolus ran 
in excitedly and said Snow- 
drop had fallen, whereupon 
they all decided to go home. 


32 BANQUET OF THE FLOWERS 


The little brook sang the 
Flower Song, and the flowers 
bade each other goodnight, to 
go back to their age-long and 
joyous task of making this old 
world beautiful and giving 
their fragrance to the people 
of earth. 



Now, run along and gather 
Mother a bouquet, and while 
you smell its sweetness and see 
its beauty think of how you can 
be sweet, and beautiful, and 
unselfish like they are; then get 
your dolly and tell her this 
pretty story of “ The Banquet 
of the Flowers 









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